Young Barnstead woman uninjured after deer forces her to drive into a pond

BY JOHN QUINNUnion Leader Correspondent

BARNSTEAD – A local woman escaped serious injury when her car landed upside down in a pond along Beauty Hill Road Tuesday morning after she swerved to avoid a deer.

Police, firefighters and emergency personnel responded at 8:28 a.m. after the westbound 2004 Honda Accord driven by Elizabeth Smith, 20, of Barnstead, drove across the road, into a stone wall and flew into the pond near 266 Beauty Hill Road.

Police determined the accident occurred when Smith swerved to avoid striking a deer along a straight section.

Fire Chief Mark Tetreault said Smith, who climbed out a window and swam to shore, suffered minor scrapes and scratches.

"When we arrived, the vehicle was upside down and completely submerged," Tetreault said, adding he estimated "the vehicle was airborne for about three to four seconds."

Tetreault said the woman refused transport. He said she was not wearing her seatbelt.

Crews from Louden Garage pulled the car from the pond. Members of the state Department of Environmental Services assessed the scene.